I Am Not Afraid of What Man Can Do to Me

DAY 153
2-25-10
NEHEMIAH 9-10


Good Morning!

The returning exiles stand in respect of the law of God; and while continuing to stand they confess their sins. They are told, “Stand up and praise the Lord your God, who is from everlasting to everlasting.”

After praising God and recounting the sins of their ancestors, they confessed the following… “We are slaves today, slaves in the land you gave our forefathers so they could eat its fruit and the other good things it produces. Because of our sins, its abundant harvest goes to the kings you have placed over us. They rule over our bodies and our cattle as they please. We are in great distress.” (Neh. 9:36-37)

“They rule over our bodies and cattle.” Why did they say that? In the end, it doesn’t matter who rules over me; who I pay taxes to; who has authority over my body and the physical aspects of my life. I serve the God who is from everlasting to everlasting. If I keep that in my mind, I can handle anything this life and Satan can throw at me.

I am reminded of others who came to the same realization:

David wrote: “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil,for you are with me.” (Psalm 23:4)

Paul wrote: “I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish.” (Phil. 3:8)

Jesus said: “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul.” (Matt. 10:28)

With these words in mind, lets us all have the save attitude – they can rule over my body, but God rules my soul.

Barry